The Socceroos will tackle global superstar Lionel Messi and Argentina at next year's Copa America after Australia were drawn alongside the co-hosts.

Graham Arnold's men were drawn in Group A for the South American continental championship, which starts on June 12.

That means Australia will play their five group stages matches in Argentina against the two-time World Cup champions, Uruguay, Chile, Bolivia and Paraguay.

The Socceroos' opening match will be against 15-time Copa America champions Uruguay...

Diego Maradona decided to stay on as coach of Argentine club Gimnasia y Esgrima in a surprising about turn on Thursday, two days after saying he was leaving his job at the struggling first division side.

His lawyer Matias Morla told a news conference the former World Cup winner changed his mind after the candidates for club president agree to put their differences aside ahead of Saturday's election.

The announcement prompted an outpouring of emotion from fans, many of whom turned up at the club...

Uruguay forward Edinson Cavani has said his spat with Argentina captain Lionel Messi during Monday's 2-2 international friendly is "part of football."

The pair were caught on camera exchanging words throughout the encounter played in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv.

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Uruguay captain Diego Godin at one point stepped in to intervene during one of the heated exchanges in the first half.

Before half-time, after Messi had been fouled by Matias Vecino,...